Siew touts new opportunities

By Ko Shu-ling / Staff Reporter

Vice President Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) yesterday afternoon said Taiwan was presented with three opportunities in a new era of communications in which computers, communications, consumer electronics and content converge.

The first opportunity is that Taiwan could become a center of innovation of smart hand-held devices such as smartphones, e-book readers or netbooks, he said.

If Taiwan could make good use of its competitive edge in molding and miniaturizing, coupled with key technologies in system--on-chips, there should be little problem in reaching that goal, he said.

The second opportunity, Siew said, was for Taiwan to develop what are known as end-to-end specific application services.

In an era where the “four Cs” — computers, communications, consumer electronics and content — intersect, Siew said those who can provide the services consumers need most and are passionately attached to will be winners in an increasingly -competitive environment.

Siew said the government should select a few niche items from the wireless and cloud computing technology industries to develop end-to-end specific application services. The end result would benefit not only the public but also the rest of the world, he said.

Finally, Taiwan could endeavor to develop its green industry. As information and communications technology presents a new opportunity for the country, the green industry is another option, he said. Possible industries include green cities, green architecture, a green transportation system and green energy including power generation, storage, distribution and application, he said.

Appropriate development of these green industries could help reach the goal of effectively conserving energy and cutting carbon emissions, he said.

Taking the Taipei International Flora Expo as an example, Siew said many visitors were amazed by the green buildings and green technology presented at the four park areas.